Backgrounder: Gustavson Carbon Neutrality

Carbon offset projects

The selected projects offset Gustavson’s carbon emissions by either removing from the atmosphere an equivalent amount of greenhouse gas emissions that the school’s air travel emits, or effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions by enabling new projects that would not otherwise occur that have lower carbon footprints than existing activities.

Projects were selected on the basis that they were verified by independent, third-party organizations to be legitimate and credible, and would result in real, permanent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to these criteria, Gustavson gave preference to local projects that involve First Nations, or international projects that support energy alternatives.  

Each of the projects selected outside of Canada are Gold Standard Certified, which means they have a positive impact on two or more of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Details of projects selected

• A chlorine dispenser project in Eastern Uganda that provides rural communities with safe drinking water, replacing the need to boil water with wood-burned fire. The program improves health by reducing water-borne diseases that affect 40 per cent of children under five, educates residents about the dangers of contaminated water, and saves time and money previously spent gathering wood or purchasing fuel to boil water. This project has positive impacts on five of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: no poverty, good health, clean water, affordable clean energy and climate action.
• A wastewater treatment project in Thailand that reduces fossil fuel use by 4,700 litres a day by capturing methane from wastewater at a starch manufacturing plant and converting it to heat used in the starch-drying process. Co-benefits of this project include creating new jobs and increasing general income in the community, enhancing skills training, and reducing air pollution, water consumption and waste. This project has positive impacts on five of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: no poverty, affordable clean energy, work and economic growth and climate action.
• Proyecto Mirador enhanced distribution of improved cook stoves in Honduras. Proyecto Mirador cook stoves are 50 per cent more efficient than traditionally used wood-burning open fires. This project has additional benefits of a 79 per cent reduction in monoxide and particulate matter inside homes, and the creation of 17 microenterprises and 130 jobs. This project has positive impacts on five of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: good health, clean water, affordable clean energy and climate action.
• Great Bear Forest Carbon Project. Funds directed toward this project help support the ecosystem-based-management model in which Coastal First Nations, environmental groups, forest companies and governments co-manage the Great Bear Rainforest to sustain biodiversity and create jobs for Indigenous communities in the area.  
• Quadra Island Forestland Conservation Project. Funds directed toward this project help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, preserve important site-specific environmental and Indigenous cultural features and protect the Quadra Island Forestland Conservation area for recreational activities.

Carbon reductions beyond offsets

Gustavson’s ongoing carbon reduction strategy comprises multiple approaches:

• Purchasing carbon offsets: see projects above
• Education: Dedicated coursework and extracurricular activities for students will facilitate unique and creative innovations to help the school move toward true carbon neutrality.
• Behaviour change: The school will also develop and implement a Gustavson Green Team program, through which students, staff and faculty can suggest and implement solutions to reduce the school’s carbon footprint. This will further contribute to Gustavson’s carbon neutrality strategy by reducing the total amount of carbon produced by the school’s activities, and subsequently the offsets purchases required to be carbon neutral.